SERB NATIONAL COUNCIL CONDEMNS POPOVAC INCIDENT

( Editorial: --> 1642 ) ZAGREB, Dec 30 (Hina) - The Serb National Council on Tuesday issued a statement in relation to an incident which occurred in the village of Popovac in the eastern Croatian region of Baranja on December 27. That day Osijek-Baranja County policemen injured two men and attacked the president of the Popovac Municipal Council. The Serb National Council (SNS) called on the Croatian Government to take necessary measures against the policemen and to stop all who want such incidents to multiply and spread. The SNS called on Serbs in eastern Slavonia, Baranja and western Srijem not to fall for provocation "aimed at spreading fear and insecurity, and with their local leadership and representatives of the Government and international organisations to keep presence of mind, peace and stability in their county". Three reserve policemen of Osijek-Baranja County had also taken part in the incident, the SNS said, adding it represented a severe violation of an agreement on the work of the Croatian police in eastern Croatia which stated that only professional units would work in the area. The Osijek police yesterday pressed charges against one policemen, while the three reserve policemen were dismissed. (hina) ha mm 301816 MET dec 97